Howco adds SLM 500 metal Additive Manufacturing machine to new US facility
SLM Solutions NA, Inc., the North American division of SLM Solutions Group AG, reports that Howco Group plc, a global distributor of raw material to the Oil & Gas industry headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, has purchased its first metal Additive Manufacturing machine, the SLM 500. The machine will be located at Howco’s new AM facility in Houston, Texas, USA.
SLM Solutions NA explains that the SLM 500 AM machine features a 500 x 280 x 365 mm build chamber and four overlapping lasers, with a total power rating of 1600 Watts. Quad laser optics can reportedly increase build rates by 90% over twin laser configurations.
Gas flow is said to be essential for removing soot from the process chamber, especially for long-duration builds, and the optimised gas flow on all systems produces complex components with the highest density and top surface quality.
“We went through an extensive selection process over a number of months to make sure we had the optimum technology for our new venture,” stated Conrad Kao, Howco’s Director of Additive Manufacturing. We are expecting delivery in Q3 2020 and are working hard to have all our ancillary support equipment in place to allow us to start printing components.”
